My name is Dana Marie Hunter. I am a dedicated, motivated, and enthusiastic runner. For 3 years I was a Big Ten student-athlete at Purdue University. I have ran many races over the past 15 years from middle school through my college years and now during my adult life. On October 9, 2016, I ran my very first marathon at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. I was devastated with the outcome of my race due to hamstring and quad issues while running the last 11 miles of the marathon. After the 26.2 mile journey was completed in 4 hours and 53 minutes I instantly knew I wanted to run the same race again...CRAZY HUH?! Who would not want to run the infamous Chicago Marathon for the 40th Anniversary??!! This time I am not running for my own personal gratification, but instead for CHARITY that is near and dear to my heart!!!

The reason I chose Team CASA of Cook County is because I was a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for 2 years in Marion County (Indianapolis, IN). After my 2 year anniversary I was offered a full-time position as a Guardian ad Litem. I am honored to serve as an advocate for over 230 children alone on my caseload in the Marion County's Child Welfare System. It is an honor and pleasure to run the 2017 Chicago Marathon with a PURPOSE.

Team CASA of Cook County is on a mission to ensure that every victim of child abuse and neglect grows up in a safe, permanent home. Why? Because all children need Heroes, but abused and neglected children need Super Heroes!

The goal of this 26.2 mile journey is to raise funds used to support the child advocacy program, allowing CASA of Cook County to support and train more court appointed special advocates. You might think it’s odd, given the current economic conditions, to ask you to make a financial contribution at this time. But I am preparing for something very important in my life, and I am asking for your moral, financial, and emotional support. Please help me meet my goal to raise $1,000 for Team CASA of Cook County. Thank you in advance for your donation whether big or small, I will be forever grateful! I love you!!

ABOUT 2017 Chicago Marathon

For over 30 years, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Cook County has been training everyday people to stand up for children that have experienced abuse and neglect in an overwhelmed and extremely under-resourced foster care system. Today there are anywhere between 5,800 to 6,000 children in Cook County’s foster care system—and CASA of Cook County can only provide one-on-one support for less than 6 percent of them. Because of our limited resources, our volunteer advocates are court-appointed for cases deemed most in need of individual, dedicated support. Learn more about our work here: http://bit.ly/CASA_Cook_Cty

Good Luck Dana on your run. May God bless you with strong legs to finish the race.❤️

Larnell Burks-Bagley

09/30/2017

$50.00

May God be with you!

Tanetta Ranson

09/27/2017

$25.00

Good Luck Dana!!! Love you! Tanetta

Deondra Wardelle

09/25/2017

$20.00

Run Dana Run!!!

Carolyn Stanback

09/25/2017

$25.00

Delorise (DEE) Rainey

09/25/2017

$15.00

Soror Dana - congratulations on running and being the wings for those who need them. So proud of you.
Soror Dee

Dana Austin

09/21/2017

$25.00

Good luck Soror.

Larry Moore

09/20/2017

$25.00

Go Dana!

Deanna Strong

09/12/2017

$10.00

Best Wishes Soror! You Can Do Anything! Continue to inspire.

Tronya Hawkins

09/10/2017

$200.00

I am so proud of you and the amazing work you do to keep underrepresented children safe.

Kimberly Sterling

09/10/2017

$25.00

What a great cause you are running for Soror Dana!

Elizabeth Riley-Baker

09/10/2017

$25.00

This is an extremely good cause. Thank you for your dedication!

Doneeka Tucker

09/09/2017

$15.00

So proud of you Soror! Good luck Dana.

Kumbia Lewis

09/08/2017

$100.00

Jalynn Parks

09/08/2017

$5.00

Nancy Dillon

09/07/2017

$25.00

Way to go Soror Dana. I know you will reach your goal. AKAlades for all you to support our youth,
Many Blessings. Sisterly Love, Soror Nancy

Anonymous Friend

08/12/2017

$100.00

Great person supporting a great cause!

Divia Nelson

08/11/2017

$20.00

Kerry-Ann Maddox

08/01/2017

$25.00

Bridget Greagor

07/16/2017

$100.00

You will be a blessing to so many foster children. You are are reaching those that have know one to reach them, you are helping them have a second chance at life! God be with you every step of your journey. No matter what your race time is just remember you are running a race for God and in his eyes you are a winner! God Bless You!!

Desiree Bolden

06/21/2017

$25.00

Go get em!!

Melanie Esamann

06/20/2017

$10.00

This is amazing Dana! Good luck!

Brandon Walker-Roby

06/17/2017

$30.00

Love y'all!

Jamaal Smith

06/16/2017

$10.00

Good luck with the marathon this year and keep giving back to the youth!! RQQ

Ike Ivery

06/16/2017

$10.00

Gregory Phillips

06/15/2017

$20.00

Lift as we climb

Anonymous Friend

12/02/2016

$20.00

Adrainne Kelley Wright

12/02/2016

$20.00

Dana,
I love that you decided not only to run Chicago again but to run it this time for charity!! I am so inspired by your determination! You are truest the definition of a role model! You got this!! #ownChicago2017 #shero #sista #yougotthis #youalreadyownedChicagoonce #roundtwo